Chiropractic and Pregnancy

Chiropractic care can be a great help for pregnant women. Treatment is possible even with a large belly, right up to the due date. It is also safe for the baby growing inside.

Low back complaints

It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience complaints in the lower back and pelvic area during pregnancy. This is related to changes in hormone levels, increased body weight and changes in posture. If complaints arise early in pregnancy or become progressively worse, this may be due to a problem in the functioning of the pelvis or spine.

Low back complaints during pregnancy are often caused by the altered position of the pelvis and lower back. As the baby grows larger and heavier, the downward pull at the front of the spine increases, causing the pelvis to tilt forward and the lower back to hollow. This leads to irritation of the joints between the vertebrae, cramping of certain muscle groups, and pain.

Neurological chiropractic can improve the functioning of the lower back and pelvis while also promoting maximum space in the abdominal cavity. It also improves pelvic function and thereby helps prepare for delivery.

Pelvic instability

Pelvic instability is common during or after pregnancy. It causes pain around the pelvic joints and pubic bone, as a result of a hormone produced during the last trimester of pregnancy that helps relax the ligaments in the body.

Women then experience pain around the tailbone, pubic bone or radiating pain into the legs when sitting, standing, walking and ultimately also when lying down.

Chiropractic treatment for pelvic instability is not the same as for a blocked pelvis. With pelvic instability, the pelvis moves too much, and the goal is to stabilise it again through corrections, exercises and optimising nervous system function — the control of the muscles.

Because neurological chiropractic has such a significant effect on nervous system function, it can also provide relief in other areas, for example with severe nausea.